Rock Monsters Romania

If you haven’t heard of E-an-na at least in the last 2 years, you’ve been living under a rock. I’ve known them since 2016-2017 when I was an misunderstood teenager who found solace in their music and followed them around the country to concerts, sometimes with my parents and sometimes alone. Ioana Popescu is part of the female side of the band E-an-na, a band which, in my opinion, has rebranded many times over the years. They juggle various styles, have had concerts in the biggest failures and the most famous places in Romania and Europe, such as Wacken Open Air where they won 2nd place at the Wacken Metal Battle.

Ioana Popescu is the woman I look up to for inspiration and advice for the smallest things. From “Hey Ioana, which salon should I get a piercing at?” to things about music or about us. Ioana is a professional at what she does on stage. I know that when I met her, she seemed fascinating to me. Coming from an artistic background where I only saw boys playing piano and girls playing violin, because apparently back then the piano was a masculine instrument, I discovered Ioana who does magic with her keyboard, at one point covered in plush sheep. I grew up with the band, so I grew up with Ioana and saw her in all possible situations, at least on stage. From a cool concert with a large audience to a club concert with at most 20 people who didn’t even know who they were.

I have been and still am the band’s ambassador wherever I go, even though now I somehow feel that I no longer fit in their main fanbase, but I love standing there in front of the stage, watching them and the audience, mostly teenagers and students, and thinking that I was just like them, and at least as passionate a fan as they are.

Revolution Festival, Timișoara, 2017 (Personal archive Ionela Pleșan)

All this being said, of course, Ioana Popescu came to mind when we decided to do this section; this section couldn’t happen without Ioana. The woman who inspired me since I was 15-16 years old on how to ask more of myself and how to learn to enjoy what I have and what happens to me. So, leaving aside all this “tear-jerking” introduction, let’s see the cool answers Ioana gave us.

What are the things people should know about you before reading this interview?

First of all I want to say hello and thanks for making me a part of this really nice series of interviews. Second of all, don’t believe everything you see or read on the internet, haha. So, the first thing you found out about me is that I’m really funny. Jokes aside, I saw a keyboard when I was very little, a friend of my dad taught me some songs, and I never left the piano chair since then. I studied music from kindergarten, I grew up playing the piano, and now I’m a part of the most awesome band in Romania, E-an-na, and in my free time (another joke for you here) I’m a piano teacher and an accompanist. And I love my cat, Scamă, she’s the best. 

Which woman inspired you from the beginning? What have you learned from her as a model?

I was just a child when I chose this path so back then gender was not a defining factor in my perception of role models. I was simply drawn to individuals who demonstrated qualities that I admired and aspired to emulate. I still have that kind of innocent thinking, I guess, and now my belief in the importance of meritocracy is rather guided by effort, character and how someone is capable of communicating or empathizing with the ones around them. I admire a lot of people, my mom taught me how to get through when times get rough and my closest girlfriends showed me how important appreciation and unconditional support are. I believe you can learn the most valuable things from people you least expect, you just have to open your mind and your heart. Learning certain skills is simply a matter of practice and finding the right teacher or online lessons or what learning method suits you. It’s not as tricky as it may seem.

Why have you chosen the music industry? Where does your passion come from?

I chose this industry because playing an instrument is what I do since I became conscious of my life. I cannot see myself doing anything else. My curiosity for experiencing new musical stuff made me get out of the classical area, and all the music sheets. As a trained classical pianist it was a really great challenge to join bands in different genres and try so many new things. It is still a challenge and if you know even a little bit about my band, you know what I’m talking about. The fact that everytime we can make something new, we try different styles, different sounds, keeps the passion alive. And the feeling you have on stage, playing in front of people that sing your songs and dance and jump and everything, is something I hadn’t experienced anywhere else in my entire life. Seeing them resonate with the music you make is a very special feeling. I love it so much.

Was there a moment when another woman warned you about the challenges you might face in the music industry because you’re a woman? What was your reaction?

I don’t remember someone warning me about the music industry. Or I just ignored them, haha. I like to try doing something before having any fears or preconceptions. Sometimes it is fun, sometimes not that much, unfortunately. I’m just the type of person who wants to pursue her goals and figure things out on the go. I think I have enough trust in humanity to hope that things will sort out even in difficult situations, but of course, you have to find the right people to work with for that. Usually, the individuals I interact with in this industry are kind and they share a lot of advice from their experience. It’s nice to see that in general we focus on positive thinking rather than on bad stuff. Of course not everything goes super silky smooth everytime, but it’s important to learn from every experience and know how to be better next time.

Have you faced any challenges that could only happen to women in this industry? Can you give us some examples and explain how you overcame them?

No, I don’t think so. I think it’s very important how you connect with the people around you and how you treat each other. As long as respect, empathy and communication coexist, there shouldn’t be any reason for someone to feel discriminated against based on their gender. I sometimes had hard times because I didn’t know exactly how to express my feelings when something wasn’t right for me, but after I managed to do that, I felt a big improvement in my collaborations.

Have you ever felt pressured to present yourself in a certain way because of your gender?

Well in my life I heard painful stuff, such as „you are not feminine enough” or „why are you wearing colorful shoes? They are not suitable for a woman”. Fortunately, I was lucky enough to gather around me people that appreciate me for everything I have to offer. I don’t feel any pressure being around the people that matter the most in my life, such as my friends and bandmates. If I have to face a more difficult situation at school or at a concert or anywhere else, I usually have moral support from them and that means the world to me.

What changes would you like to see in the industry to make it more inclusive and welcoming for women?

I think some things are already happening and making a change in the music industry. I saw more women playing in bands, not only as vocalists but as instrumentalists too. As part of a band which has 2 women in its family”, I didn’t ever feel that my band was treated differently because of its band members. Also there are some programs that I think help a lot in this direction, such as mentorship for women in the music industry and networking opportunities specifically tailored to women.

How optimistic are you about the future of the music industry in terms of gender equality?

Well, considering my previous answers, I am very optimistic. I think things are going in a good direction, people are talking more about a lot of topics that can bring improvements in this industry. From my perspective, I can say I sense a tendency of better communication and understanding at a higher level if someone has another point of view, and this can only bring new perspectives and help us develop better approaches in different situations. I am always happy when I take part in conversations and debates between open minded persons, and lately that happens pretty often, so that’s already a good sign of improvement.

Can you share a memorable experience or achievement in your career that you’re particularly proud of?

I achieved numerous milestones throughout my career as a musician. While some of these achievements were individual endeavors, the most unforgettable ones have been with my band. The highlights for me will always be the experience of seeing the audience’s reaction to our music and our live performance. 

One of the standout moments for me was our performance at Rockstadt Extreme Fest in the summer of 2016. As the first sound of the intro started, the crowd began cheering our name, and soon transformed into a huge choir. It was simply breathtaking. When we started playing I was already crying, haha. I’ll never forget that overwhelming emotion.

Another remarkable experience was participating in the Wacken Metal Battle in 2017, where we clinched the second place and had the opportunity to perform in front of a crowd of around 8.000 people. Additionally, competing in events like Eurovision România 2022 and Românii au Talent 2023 provided invaluable exposure and growth opportunities for our band.

There are a ton of special moments which I can talk about but I want to mention how beautiful it is after concerts when people come to me and share their appreciation, they tell me how our music makes them feel, some of them with tears of joy in their eyes. I’m very grateful to be a part of this.

Are there any projects or collaborations you’re currently working on that you’re excited about and would like to share with our audience?

I’ve been part of E-an-na since 2016 and I swear it’s been the best thing that happened to me in my entire life. We’re constantly working on something, and while it can be challenging at times, I genuinely love every step of the journey. This year, we’re excited to release some new music, and if you’re looking for a bit of entertainment and want to stay updated on our latest work, I invite you to join us on social media. I recently became one of the „postaci”, haha, alongside my bandmate and friend, Ovidiu Ban, so you can expect some fun updates from us.

Besides E-an-na, I started playing this year with Paulina and we’ve already had a few beautiful concerts together. What’s really nice is that I’ve appreciated her music even before joining the project, so it’s awesome being able to contribute my skills and passion to something I already admire.

Photo by Vlad Bornuz

Looking back on your career journey so far, what are some valuable lessons  or insights you’ve gained that you wish you knew when you were starting out?

I wish I had known earlier in my career that, despite my best intentions and hard work on a project, not everyone will appreciate my efforts. It’s important to recognize when a situation is not suitable for you and not to struggle to prove yourself in such circumstances. Sometimes, the best thing for your own well-being is to let go. The right opportunities and people will value what you have to offer without compromising your sense of self. It’s about finding the right fit where you can thrive authentically.

What advice would you give to young women aspiring to pursue a career in music? But to the ones that are reading this interview?

Know your worth and believe in yourself. Always work hard for what you want to accomplish. Stay curious and eager to learn new things, it will only benefit you in the long run. Pay attention to what is happening around you and observe the work ethic of the people you interact with. Choose only the opportunities that align with your values and goals. While pursuing your dreams won’t always be easy, remember that hard work shouldn’t equate to severe struggle. Take care of yourself, of your mind, your body, your soul. I’m serious. Your well-being is just as important as your success. You won’t be happy if you’ll have one without the other. 

Hugs and kisses!

Photo by Anca Coleașă

If you liked this interview and we made you curious about what these E-an-na sing that everyone is talking about? You have the chance to see them in an acoustic version at Expirat on July 11. Ioana will be there, I will be there in front of the stage, and we hope to find you there too. What are you waiting for, did you get your ticket?

Rock Monsters Romania believes in professionalism and in the chance for women to stand out in an industry that seems dominated by men. Due to this belief, we have decided that once every two weeks on our website, you can find a woman who is making waves in the music industry and offers daily inspiration and support to those around them.

Text by Ionela Pleșan

Interview by Ionela Pleșan and Radu Mihai